I’ve always stockpiled books for my vacations, picking them up from used book stores and yard sales, so by the time I’m ready for down-time I’ve got half a dozen to choose from. I thought it might be fun to start a book review here and see if we can get a good list going. Comments and views on any of my selections are welcome.

I’m not that sophisticated when it comes to my reading habits. Eclectic is probably the word to describe them as I equally enjoy Tolstoy and John Grisham; Aldous Huxley and Stephen King. There are some favourites though and I’m going to kick off by sharing a few of those. Here’s my top ten and I’ll post longer reviews of each one in due course:

• The Stand – Stephen King
  Apocalpyptic, good vs evil, classic King novel. Quite disturbing in these times of pandemic fears but an outstanding read. One of my favourites.
• Brave New World – Aldous Huxley
  I’ve read this book a dozen times over the past 20 years and am astonished at how prophetic it is. If you’ve ever worried about the issue of cloning, this will take that to a new level!
• Wild Swans – Jung Chang
  What a beautiful book this is. A sweeping story of Jung Chang’s family, and life in China over several generations.
• Gondar – Nicholas Luard
  Classic epic adventure story with swashbuckling action and great characters
• Watchers – Dean Koontz
  If you love dogs, and have always thought yours was trying to communicate with you, then read this. One of Koontz best books.
• The Partner – John Grisham
  Lawyer fakes death, gets found out, and faces trial. Great book – not sure about the ending, but it leaves you thinking.
• Jamaica Inn – Daphne du Maurier
  A classic novel of Cornwall, England in the 19th century. Jamaica Inn still exists, on Bodmin Moor
• The Law of Attraction – Jerry & Esther Hicks
  If you’ve heard of ‘The Secret’, then you might enjoy this. It really does explain what the Law of Attraction is. It worked for me!
• I’m a Stranger Here Myself – Bill Bryson
  Bryson returns to the US after many years living in England. A hilarious account of travels in small-town America told in the way only Bryson can.
• Well Groomed – Fiona Walker
  One for the girls. A rioutous account of an English wedding and dysfunctional families.